1861 December 16 Camp near Centreville

Camp near Centreville
Dec 16th 1861.
My darling Jennie
I have not time this (Monday)
morning to write you a letter. I in-
tended yesterday to write you a long
leter, but Col Hill called to see me
very early & Remained until two
& not then left with my promise
to dine with him which operation
filled out the day. A Rumour in
camp says there are 425 pris-
oners at Centreville taken at Lees-
burg where we have had another
bloody fight. The impression on
our minds just now is that if there
has been a hard fight then our
side has fared badly although of
it seems that we still hold the
ground. The whole thing is a Rumor
& I vouch for no part of it. Genl
E K Smith said on Saturday that
we would move into Winter Qurs
to day or Rather that to day was
the day fixed. but we have as yet
Received no orders on the subject.

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we may however be on the look
out for it cant be many days be-
fore we will move. beyond these
items we have no news of any
sort. I am crazy to get off to see
you and am in daily hope
of something occurring to give me
Relief for a few days. I got along
with sufficient comfort in camp
I no longer suffer from cold having
got entirely used to it.
Affectionately
ETHWarren

This letter has a note above the heading which reads: 12/15/61. However, this is NOT correct. Warren writes in the first line "I have not time this (Monday). . ." The Mondays in December 1861 were 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. This letter was definitely written on 16 December. Warren also writes in his other 16 December letter: "I sent you an apology for a letter this morning".


"Col. Hill", line 4 - 'Colonel A. P. Hill, commander, 13th VA Infantry'.

"E K Smith", line 19 - 'Edmund Kirby Smith'

"Qurs", line 20 - 'Quarters'



[transcription and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g